Thursday, 26 January 2012

Day and Night

It has been a day of contrasts:
We arrived in the French Quarter of New Orleans last night and, it would be fair to say, witnessed some of the seedier night life. The same area looked decidedly different in the daylight.
We met an American in shorts, playing Scotland the Brave on the bagpipes to celebrate Burns night.
And, we ate Gumbo and poboys instead of haggis, neeps and tatties.
Above all there is a wonderful slowing of pace - necessary for winding down and finding a new energy for creativity.
It has also been an emotional day, a letting go of many of the burdens that we tend to carry for others as well as an incredible awareness of the nearness of the spirit of loved ones for whom the experiences I am enjoying right now were never an option.
Exhausting, exhilarating, stimulating, invigorating - a day of contrasts indeed.